G. Heyer's novels are always fun but a great deal of their humor and character insight lies in the wording and implications of the text. Ms. Nash's narration hits this spot on and made me enjoy the audio book even more than the text version. She handles voices (both male and female), tone, characterization and interpretation with a fine sense of the author's intent.

Heyer is true to the period and transports us there. This immersion in time is a hallmark of Heyer, contrasting to many contemporary authors who insert 21st century views/mannerisms in historical settings. Ms. Nash delivers this perfectly.

If you enjoy a quiet, believable romance of ordinary problems against a background of extraordinary difficulties, try this book.

This is one of my favorite Georgette Heyer novels. The author, as usual, creates a host of vivid characters: Lord Linton is a man of integity and duty, his father-in-law is bigger than life (you can love and dislike him at the same time), and Jenny is a wonderfully complex heroine. The romance is entrancing (there is more than one involvement going on); however, the main love story is different from most Heyer novels. Heyer took the time writing this to let a relly good story unfold. I was engrossed throughout the presentatin and did not want to stop even to eat (which means it was REALLY interesting) or to sleep. The reader was perfect for the book. I thought she did a partcularly good job with the Jenny character - her chuckle/laugh was delightful. This is a solid 5 in my opinion.

Georgette Heyer's books are wonderful with accurate details of the Regency period and rich with quirky characters. This book is a delightful read and yet not a "silly" book. It is light-hearted and yet just as good literature as a Jane Austen. The herione is not the usual beauty, rather she is dumpy and plain - but you will love her just the same. Not my favorite Georgette Heyer, but enjoyable and very well read - a pleasure to listen.

I love all Georgette Heyer novels because her heroines are so sassy, smart and inspirational. But this novel went against all form for me with a heroine who was plain, and just wanted to be a good home maker. In spite of that Phylidda Nash is such a brilliant reader, drawing distinct characters with her voice that i just loved listening to the story, and grew to really appreciate the sentiment of a woman who knows her worth and is loved for being herself.

This is the story, not of a fairy tale, but of life when perfect love doesn't prevail, but we make do anyway - sometimes quite happily!Georgette Heyer is a master; her characters especially shine. In "A Civil Contract" she gives us one of her most relatable-to heroines. She also gives us a lot of her customary humor and heart. It's a great story, and one of the most heart-tugging of Heyer's efforts. As always, there is great historical detail and accuracy. Her works are real Regencies, with adherence to the sensibilities and morals of that society. So, no steamy sex, no modern outrage at the lot of women. Enjoy them for what they are: cracking good historical romances with memorable, funny characters and a great dose of wit.

This is a great story with a heroine who despite her obscene wealth, is someone Average Jane can relate to. Take your typical love story with beautiful people and true romance, REMOVE the "beautiful" and the "romance", and what you get is surprisingly good stuff. I applaud Georgette Heyer's mix of talented writing and historic facts, and her little nods to Jane Austen are just sweet. The narration is a treat, Ms. Nash's voices are varied, consistent, and especially in the case of the character who was the Ultimate Stage Dad long before Hollywood even existed, hilarious!

This was my first Georgette Heyer book and I loved it. The narrator caught the characters exceptionally well and the book was entertaining. If you like romantic novels with substance, this book is for you.

I enjoy clean language narratives that are clever and layered without reverting to off color themes and descriptions! I will invest in other Heyer books!

The reason I gave it only 3 stars and not 4 is because it was memorably tedious in places. That being said I adored the story wholistically; the time period, characters, story line, conflict, and ending! Glad to discover Heyer!

The heroine is plain but the story is a wonderful concoction of some Georgette's very best: a hero who is - truly - a gentleman, his delightful sister, an ironically hilarious mother, and a 'cit' we grow to love -- all with a little history and a lot of humour and wisdom thrown in. Mix that with one of the best readers ever and you have a book you can listen to again and again. Enjoy. Then enjoy it again. Five HUGE stars.

Like the other reviewers, this used not to be one of my favorite Heyers. Its main theme, that comfort and friendship rather than passion is what lasts in a relationship, sits oddly amongst Heyer's more traditional swashbuckling romances. However I find that as I get older I warm to A Civil Contract and have become rather fond of the prosiac heroine. Definitely worth a go.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

MaDr8y

Cambs., UK

1/6/09

Overall

"Beautifully read"

The story is, admittedly, not one of the most sparkling from Georgette Heyer, but the reading could not be bettered. I have loved Georgette Heyer's books since I was a schoolgirl, but found this one a bit hard to 'plough through' - listening to Phyllida Law, I had no difficulty at all in enjoying what is quite a long listen. Oh, for her to also do 'The Grand Sophy', 'The Spanish Bride' or 'These Old Shades' which have remained my favourites for decades - and for Audible to make them available, please.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Mrs. REP

Midlands, UK.

7/10/10

Overall

"A wonderful listen."

This is a bit different to most of Georgette Heyer's other books, but it's still a lovely story.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Maggie

5/17/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A bit out of the common way..."

Any additional comments?

No Heyer aficionado can deny there's often a common theme to her books, but this one is different. It's more thoughtful. The comedy element is always there somewhere, this time supplied by the wonderful Jonathan Chawleigh, with his escaping turtles, useless peacocks and helpful plans to carpet a medieval staircase. Phyllida Nash nails the lot, from Adam himself to Mr Chawleigh. I think my favourite characters are Lydia and Brough, but it doesn't matter because they are all there, faithfully brought to life. Nash is fast becoming one of my favourite Heyer narrators

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Lucy

Stockport, United Kingdom

4/8/13

Overall

"Not the most romantic of romances but..."

This is an unusual book in that it really isn't particularly romantic but is still an excellent romance in a more prosaic manner than many of Georgette Heyer's other books. The narration is excellent - plenty of variety and each character is easily and instantly recognisable, Phyllida Nash does a great job. It helped me travel many miles on the bus as well as wash up!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fiona

London, United Kingdom

12/6/07

Overall

"Not one of her best I feel"

I remember reading this book ages ago, and while I enjoyed the audio version I am still of the opinion that the main female character is too annoyingly mild (doormat springs to mind) for the story to be in anyway endearing. I want 'romance' in my romances. Not 'oh she'll do 'cause she's comfy'. While it may be true in real life, it makes for limp listening.

7 of 12 people found this review helpful

Reginald pelle

Winchester, UK

5/16/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Excellent!"

Issues of property, assets and titles; as well as finding true love and romance, all wrapped up in this amazing drama. Worth a listen!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Jan

Crawley, United Kingdom

7/14/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"One of my favourite "comfortable" reads"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you have a liking for Regency romance then I would certainly recommend this. Georgette Heyer creates a good story along with accurate details of life at the time. I have read the book several times and it is a pleasure to have it read to me - especially by Phyllida Nash who creates the right atmosphere and uses just the right intonations to make all the characters believable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jenny Chawleigh is my favourite character if one has to be chosen. She bears a lot of indignity and disappointment with stoicism and common sense where some would have had tears and tantrums.

Have you listened to any of Phyllida Nash’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have listened to several performances by Phyliida Nash and she never disappoints me.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is one of my favourite reads (or "listens") when I am looking for an easygoing story which does not require too much reaction from me except just real pleasure in a gentle plot that nevertheless has several twists of fate and fortune before the end.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Catherine

London, United Kingdom

7/2/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Perfect for a Georgette Heyer fans"

Who was your favorite character and why?

The hero and heroine were beautifully portrayed as always

Any additional comments?

Mostly perfect escapism mixed with a little Napoleonic history.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Helen

London

8/11/12

Overall

"Delightful"

Beautifully read by Phyllida Nash. Other reviewers find the story insufficiently romantic, and I can see what they mean, but it is a wonderful listen.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Your report has been received. It will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Can't wait to hear more from this listener?

You can now follow your favorite reviewers on Audible.

When you follow another listener, we'll highlight the books they review, and even email* you a copy of any new reviews they write. You can un-follow a listener at any time to stop receiving their updates.

* If you already opted out of emails from Audible you will still get review emails by the listeners you follow.